Last January, O issued readers a challenge: Don't just say you're going to get in shape, we urged—put it in writing. The idea was to sign a contract with yourself committing to regular exercise, healthy food choices, and nutritional—rather than emotional—eating. To make it easier, we provided the agreement that helped Oprah drop 33 pounds, designed by her trainer, Bob Greene.

The response was phenomenal. More than 12,000 of you sent in your contracts, promising to improve your diets and increase your fitness efforts. When Oprah saw them pouring in, she grabbed Greene and said, "Let's call some of these people!" Plucking envelopes at random, the two of them got on the phone and started punching numbers like crazy. More than a few stunned readers received a personal "Go for it."

A year later, these 12 readers have kicked some serious butt (and stomach, thighs, love handles) right out of existence. To everyone who signed on the dotted line last January, and to those who decide to do a contract this year, congratulations!

Meet them and see how they did it!

From the January 2004 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine